UW–Madison’s incoming class and the people who got them here

When Allouez, Wisconsin native Frida Galt was asked what they plan to study at UW-Madison, their response wasn't what one might expect. "I'm an artist, but I don't want to pursue art as a career. I want to incorporate art into science!"

Over the past few months, Galt, who plans to become a geologist, has made a clay trilobite wall sconce, a fabric anatomical heart, a jumping spider made of bits of plastic and - their most proud achievement - a wooden camera obscura based on drawings in a history book.

Galt joins 1,034 others in their incoming class as a Bucky's Tuition Promise recipient, which guarantees four years of tuition and segregated fees for any incoming new freshman from Wisconsin whose family's annual household adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less. For Galt, this promise is tied to being a Wisconsinite. "I love Wisconsin I want to stay here and get involved to better this community I am a part of."

Galt is also very proud to be one of 1,608 first-generation students this fall.

Like their art, Galt's response to the question, "Who got you here?" was also not expected. "Babushka, my cat," they say. "He's the one who got me here."

When Galt was in middle school during the pandemic, they struggled with their mental health. "Babushka was a consistent supportive presence," from long walks together in the backyard to his napping on Galt's lap while working on homework.

"Of course, I'll miss my family and friends, but pets are different in that you can't exactly call a cat and talk to them whenever you miss them." Galt adds, noting that Babushka is staying at home. "I guess I'm going to need to find friends here with cats that I can visit so I don't get too sad."